Crate

McKean County Raceway

Blair's McKean Fair Race victory is eighth of 2012

August 17, 2012, 10:18 am

By Mike Leone

Fastrak Northeast

EAST SMETHPORT, Pa. (Aug. 16) — Series points leader Max Blair of Centerville, Pa., ended a five-race drought Thursday at McKean County Raceway for his eighth victory of the season on the Sweeney Chevrolet-Buick-GMC Fastrak Northeast tour for Crate Late Model. Blair, who led the final 15 of 25 laps, earned $1,200 for his 20th career victory in the 90th tour race.

The 22-year-old Blair took the lead from Ed Carley of Freedom, N.Y., on the 10th lap and drove masterfully through lapped traffic. He took the checkers ahead of Dan Angelicchio, Bryce Davis, Carley and 12th-starting Ryan Montgomery.

"I'm tired. The lapped cars were crazy tonight,” Blair said in victory lane. "We started the year off so strong, but had some problems in the middle of the year. The track was great tonight. I have to thank everyone that helps me and first and foremost my dad, who makes this all possible; McKean County Raceway, and Mike (Leone) and Vicki (Emig), who do a great job with the Series.”

Carley led from the outset while 14-year-old Lauren Longbrake grabbed second on a lap-five restart. But Blair grabbed second on another early restart in race that saw the last 19 laps run caution-free.

Blair caught Carley and pulled alongside on lap nine. The two continued to race side-by-side with Blair on the bottom and Carley on top. Carley pushed high in turn four on lap 10 and that was all Blair needed as he drove into a lead he'd never relinquish.

Blair had a straightaway advantage at the finish over Angelicchio, who made an inside move exiting turn four in the final laps to take second from Carley.

Notes: Blair’s Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Specialty Products, Rohrer Trucking, Moody & Son Welding and Genesis Shocks. ... Provisional starter Steve Dixon received the Precise Racing Products Hard Charger honors for his 26th-to-11th run. ... Dan Angelicchio has five runner-up finish in 15 series starts. "One of these days we'll get one," said the Greensburg, Pa. racer. ... Lauren Longbrake’s sixth-place finish was her best of the season and third top 10 of the year. ... The race was part of the 107th McKean County Fair. ... Fastrak Northeast competitors return to action Saturday at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, for the $1,500-to-win Bill Emig Memorial.